Pakistan: Kinnow seeds fail to make EU impression

Pakistani kinnow is still not making waves in Europe, due to presence of so many seeds in the fruit.

Industry insiders say that the country needs to get to grips with new varieties if they are to successfully exploit the market potential in the country.

Harvest Tradings Chief Executive Officer Ahmad Jawad. “Pakistan is losing the kinnow market in the EU due to excessive seeds, as the buyer seeks seed-free fruit for easy eating … Still we are looking forward to having a max 3 to 5 seeds in each fruit.

“Neither the government nor the Pakistan Fruits and Vegetable Exporters, Importers and Merchant Association have taken measures to educate the farmers about the latest techniques for producing fruits,” he said and added that Pakistani growers should learn from their Turkish counterparts who, with seedless varieties, have managed to do well on the EU markets.

Punjab Agriculture Department is thought to be considering the launch of the seedless variety in Khanewal, which would separate the production of seedless and conventional production.